Cas Paton on Global Marketplaces, Cashback Innovation & Reviving Comet

Cas Paton, Founder and CEO of OnBuy and Comet, joins Jamie Hamer on the Retail is Detail Podcast for a fast-paced deep dive into building one of Europe’s fastest-growing marketplaces whilst reviving one of the UK’s most iconic retail brands.

From launching in 21 countries to introducing instant cashback and planning a US expansion, Cas shares how OnBuy is redefining customer value while competing head-to-head with global giants. He opens up about the reality of scaling at speed, navigating compliance chaos across borders, and why AI and data-driven execution underpin everything from category growth to customer retention.

In this candid and energetic conversation, Cas explains why OnBuy’s fair marketplace model - one that doesn’t compete with its sellers - is changing how retailers think about incrementally. He also reveals what’s next for Comet, his bold play to bring back a trusted British electronics brand for a digital era.

Expect insights on leadership under pressure, scaling infrastructure before the market notices, and why the future of retail won’t be decided by hype around AI but by who creates genuine customer value at scale.

Episode brought to you by Loxa